DavidF

Working on it. Just moved a Hobbyboss FM-2 into the spray booth for a North Atlantic paint scheme.

Outstanding!

Added a couple neat toys to my model desk this week. Top is a Grex Genesis.XA single action Bottom is a Grex Genesis.XN double action The XA has taken a bit to get used to, but it actually feels more comfortable than it looks. Having to practice with the XN as well. Have always had trouble with double action brushes, which is why I bought the spray trigger operated Tritium.TG . I think now after using the Tritium for a while I can adapt to the standard double action a bit easier. Both spray like a dream and are easy to clean up. Well built and beautiful, Grex is my new most favorite airbrush!

I've had good luck spraying Vallejo Model Air, although there is a learning curve. The only thinner I've found that works is their own - just barely. Luckily Model Air needs very little thinning. I've had no luck at all spraying their Model Color line. Seems right as you get the paint/thinner mix in the ballpark adhesion goes out the window. I've tried Vallejo thinner and Windex with about the same result. Lacquer thinner and any alcohol based thinner ends in disaster. Never tried Hydrogen Peroxide though. -dave

Nice!!! -dave

Wow!

Great build Andy. Love the finish with just the right amount of weathering Do the Eduards weekend kits use the same plastic as their regular kits, or are they completly different? -dave

Last time I was active in the hobby I used Tamiya paints, but was never really happy with the color section or performance. Switched to Pollyscale and was a lot happier. I planed on using mostly Pollyscale this go round with a few others mixed in where needed. Sounds like that may not be workable for the long run, so I decided to give Vallejo a try on the kit I'm about to start. Just received all of the paint I'll need for this project today and plan diving in tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. I can already say that I like the dropper bottles. Should save considerably on pipettes. Didn't someone else use these same dropper bottles before? Seems like I remember seeing them years ago. -dave

Thanks for the kind words fellas! -dave

I'll give it a shot this evening. Thanks! -dave

Finally finished my Tamiya 1:48 Brewster Buffalo. This is the first kit I've completed in over 3 years and only the fourth or so in 15 years, so I wasn't expecting it to be perfect….and I wasn't disappointed . More mistakes than you can shake a stick at, but even so – feels good to be getting back into the game. Here it is in all of its imperfect and rather sloppy (IMO) appearance. I consider this to be my 'feet wet' kit and my next (a Hobbyboss 1:48 Wildcat) to be the start of my 'getting my grove back' phase. So please bear with me – I will get it together and improve. -dave Edit: Yep, I know the telescopic site is missing. Thought I could install it last, after final paint. That's what I get for doing my own thinking

For the past week temps have been below normal for southern Oklahoma (air temp was 6F last night) so no airbrushing. Normally I can warm the garage up enough to paint, so usually not too big of an impact. I hope the big thaw arrives as predicted tomorrow! -dave

I use Iwata airbrush cleaner and Q-Tips. Haven't had a problem with fibers using the Q-Tip brand, but did using off-brands. -dave

My little corner of the utility room Not bad. Pretty quiet unless the washer/dryer are running. Of course I keep my stash out of site in a separate location -dave

I'm sure your spot on Ed. I ordered a few assortment packs plus some specific sizes to start with. But I'm sure when I need something, I won't have that particular size B) Thanks for the suggestions and info guys! -dave

Really nice work Andy 'Short Fuse' is on my to-do list for 2010. -dave

Thanks Mark. Haven't seen the assortment packs before, but makes sense that they would have them. I'll check them out. -dave

Thanks guys. Is there any particular diameter styrene rod or thickness of styrene strips/sheets that you reach for more than others? Just not sure which sizes I might need more often. Since I don't have a local hobby shop and have to order most of my stuff online, I naturally want to buy what I would use most often in the beginning. -dave

Thanks Les, I use an oil wash also and I use turpenoid since most of my work is done indoors. What I'm not sure of is where to insert the final overspray of lightened grey that I hope will give the appearance of oxidized paint. I thought after the decals since the insignia paint would also show signs of fading and oxidation, but I'm not sure. My initial plan was as follows: 1. Future 2. Apply decals 3. Future 4. Panel wash 5. More Future 6. Highlight as needed and apply lightened grey overspray (White XF-2 + Light Grey XF-66) 7. Matt spray 8. Call it done Just not sure how the attempt at oxidation might affect the decals. -dave

Need some opinions guys. Still working on my 'getting back into the hobby kit', a Tamiya Brewster Buffalo. For this kit I just want to do some basic weathering - nothing major or heavy. Just a panel wash and an overspray to give the grey paint an oxidized appearance. My question involves the order of application. Do I overspray and then apply the panel wash and decals or do I overspray last? I think I have my base coat where I want it. I used three different shades of paint - light grey, light grey with a tinge of blue and a slightly lightened medium grey. I've attached some pics (not very good ones I know) that might show where I'm at. The pics really don't show the variations in color very well, but... BTW, I'm using Tamiya paints. Please ignore the mistakes...I promise to get better Thanks! -dave

All, I want to start building up a stock of blank styrene materials but don't know where to start. For 1:48 WWI and WWII aircraft can someone suggest the most commonly used shapes, sizes and thicknesses for building up interior detail, gap filling, etc? Much appreciated! -dave

Decided recently to place an order with LuckyModel just to see how long it would take. I placed an order on December 4th for two kits that were shown to be in stock. The order arrived on December 28th. So around three weeks with a major holiday in the mix. Not to bad I guess for something I might be having trouble finding somewhere else. Actually it was faster than I expected, but Sprue Brothers and Squadron can usually get it to me in one or two days. Funny thing is that the tracking number they gave me still shows, as of this morning, that the package just left Hong Kong - delivery date unknown. -dave

I don't have near the experience as most of you with airbrushes, but I've also just started using a Grex trigger grip brush (Grex Tritium.TG2). It's the only double action brush that I've ever been able to use comfortably but it is a bit pricey. My old workhorse is a Badger 200G single action which I still use and will always use. For the money I think it's still one of the best brushes around. I've tried a number of other brushes over the years but these are the only two I've kept, although now that I think about I may have a Badger 200NH hidden away somewhere. I also agree that gravity fed is the way to go. Less paint, lower pressures and better finishes IMO.

Either way, that's a great looking plane. Nice! -dave

The F-86 is one of my top jets and you did an outstanding job on that one William! -dave